Why Are My Plant Leaves Turning Yellow? Common Causes and Solutions

Yellow leaves are the "upset stomach" of gardening—a nonspecific symptom signaling various problems. When you spot yellowing foliage, consider these potential culprits:

• Overwatering
• Underwatering
• Excessive fertilizer
• Nutrient deficiency
• Cold temperature exposure
• Heat stress
• Disease
• Physical leaf damage
• Root damage
• Natural aging of older leaves

If you see yellow leaves, examine the plant's environment to identify which factor might be at play. Correcting the underlying issue often resolves the yellowing. In some cases—like temperature-related color changes—the problem may have already self-corrected. For aging foliage, no action is needed; it's part of the plant's natural life cycle.